President Soeharto remarks on openness triggers debate
President Soeharto remarks on openness triggers debate
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto's reiteration on Tuesday of
the need to maintain political stability sparked debate on
whether the government intends to close the gates of political
openness.
Politicians, academics and lawyers expressed differing
interpretations on the meaning of the statements in Soeharto's
annual state-of-the-nation speech marking yesterday's 49th
Independence Day.
In his speech at the House of Representatives (DPR), the
President warned that moves to promote democracy should not cross
the limit and endanger the political stability necessary for high
economic growth.
He acknowledged that development requires a democratic
setting but stressed that political stability is a "prerequisite"
for the success of development.
"Openness does not mean unlimited freedom, or even worse,
freedom to be hostile, pitting one party against another and
unconstitutionally imposing one's ideas," he said.
The President also acknowledged differences of opinion as
characteristic of democracy, which has its own rules. "Without
rules and without their observance, what will emerge is anarchy,
not democracy."
Assurances that the government would not put the brakes on the
moves for democracy came from Sudharmono, a former vice president
and now an adviser to Soeharto.
"The openness drive continues. How can we slow it down when
the push is this strong," he said after attending the gala
celebration.
Sudharmono, who runs a legal aid institution, underlined the
President's statement that what Indonesia needs now is
"responsible openness."
Legislators Krissantono from the government-backed Golkar
political grouping and Abu Hartono from the Armed Forces (ABRI)
faction agreed that political openness needs to be vigorously
promoted without drastically imposing western-style democracy as
some groups have demanded.
Krissantono pointed out, however, that the absence of standard
definitions of "responsible openness had wrought confusion about
what may be done and what may not."
Hartono said the public should be wary of certain groups'
efforts to force their will and seek to apply western-style
democracy which he termed unsuitable for Indonesia.
Participation
Prominent lawyer and human rights campaigner Todung Mulya
Lubis criticized the government for continuing to glorify
national stability at the expense of democracy.
"Political stability is important but it is not the only
element dictating the success of economic development. Sound
economic development also requires the people's participation,"
he said.
Lubis argued that "dynamic stability" as the President calls
it, is impossible without active participation of people from all
levels of the community. "It is not something which is created by
the government, it has to come from the people," he said.
Indria Samego, a researcher at the Indonesian Institute of
Sciences (LIPI), suggested that the government phase out its
focus on political stability.
He warned that the continued focus on political stability
would create an impression that the government is repressive and
authoritarian, Antara reported.
Pessimism about the government's commitment to promoting
democracy has been brewing once again following the government's
recent crackdown on the publication.
The government closed down what it considered the three most
provocative news weeklies, Tempo, Editor and DeTIK, in June
following two years of unprecedented openness.
House member Sabam Sirait said the closures represent the
government's inconsistency in its commitment to promote
democracy.
He said he believed that all the president's statements were
well-intentioned but that oftentimes cabinet ministers failed to
translate the President's wishes into action. (pan/pwn)